Ocean swim, or kiddie pool? Beach, or box of sand? Lazy boy, or shaky stool? Christmas gift so cool… Or socks so bland?
Crème brûlée, or mud pie? Disney World, or tourist trap? Father’s House, or pigsty? Forty winks of shut eye… Or cat nap?
Roaring fire, or candle flame? Chess, or Tic-Tac-Toe? Honey sweet, or aspartame? Roses fresh for dame… Or faux?
Tie the knot, or “test drive”? Send a prayer, or “thought”? Joy that lasts, or quick dies? Trusting Him Who did rise… Or fretting-fraught… A lot afraid… Until that day the farm’s bought?
******
“We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea.” -C.S. Lewis
I dreamt I found that famous mirror, peered within, and asked Strange words that echoed Snow White’s fearsome Queen But later, all my self-exalting queries were at last All answered in a different sort of glass
And so, I questioned boldly in my dream:
“Mirror Mirror on the wall Who’s the fairest ever seen? Who’s the end-all prototype, the Face about whom folks will write in reams?”
“Who’s more lovely than a swan of White, or Sunset in the West? Who’s the greatest Paragon of Light and truth and love and all the rest?”
Vain conceit brought forth this screed Then I found a humbler mirror Leatherbound, its leaves relieved this Victim of a spirit growing drearer
Sage and saint therein reflect Heights of love; man’s deepest worth Pages inked with red connect one’s Eyes to heaven’s Mirror framed of earth
Mirror of the Father’s care Fairer words were never spoken Mirror of man’s calling, when He Gives His very Self in Bread that’s broken
Mirror marched up skullish mount Fount of healing; cracked and scorned Mirror tarnished, on a beam Gleaming love through hatred humbly borne
Mirror shattered; hope betrayed? Shards of splendor in a tomb Soon exhumed; the glass remade! The Grave, thereby transfigured since, to womb
Be meek my soul; look deep inside That Mirror, see! Reflect His rays! Direct those lost in dark of pride Toward the Humble Star Who shines the way
Who moonlights, too, as Path and Door… (1)
To where He’s Sun, those radiant shores of light and song-soaked praise (2)
Let there be PEACE on the earth And let it begin with Yours Truly For Peace ever springs From the dreams which I dare When the Prince cares to cherish and rule me
Let there be JOY on the earth And let it begin with me now My angst is corrupted By a faith, fresh-erupted As I let Zion shine on my brow
Let there be MERCY on earth And let it disperse from me first Since I’ve been forgiven I have seventy-fold striven, to Pay it forward, for that Reign to rehearse
Let there be FIRE on the earth And let me be kindling consumed God’s Love is a spark; Every quark it has scorched By the torch of that Arsonist untombed
***
(inspired by the song, LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH, by Sy Miller and Jill Jackson
True prayer is desire A longing, a yearning A stoking of fire That purges and brands without burning
A sigh– to unsmother A cry– soaked in hope A glance– at the Lover Who with every soul, would elope
Before prayer begins The Stag has been leaping (2) Across peaks within To trade His own joy for our weeping
Prayer answers that thirst Our heartaches make known Yet God has it worse Prayer mergesHisthirst with our own (1)
To pray is to dine On “meat” and “wine blended”- (2.5) The “choicest of wine”- (3) Our drought and our famine upended
To hand off what harms To slough off dismay To sink into Arms That mold to His image this clay (3.5)
The soul’s transformation A bath in love’s Flame Sweet divinization The Bridegroom’s new life free fromshame
When things go as planned Or couldn’t have gone worse (4) When life’s “fine and dand” Or soon to be hailing a hearse
When warmed by the sun Or while the flakes fly When the fight’s lost or won When “Thanks” is the only reply
Where silence is falling And list’ning unfettered Where no voice is calling But HIS Voice, within, or red-lettered
In bedrooms or churches On hikes to the peak In the bus as it lurches There‘s no place where one cannot seek…
And be found…
Bythe OneWho, for love, ever searches
*****
(1) Catechism of the Catholic Church #2560
(2) Song of Songs 2:9
(2.5) Proverbs 9:2
(3) Psalm 127
(3.5) Isaiah
(4) “Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances” -1 Thessalonians 5:18
(5) Zephaniah 3
“I assure you that God is much better than you believe. He is content with a glance, a sigh of love.” “For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.”-St. Therese of Lisieux
“Labour, therefore, to increase the fire of your desire, and let not a moment pass without crying to Me with humble voice, or without continual prayers before Me for your neighbours.’-God to St. Catherine of Siena, from the Dialogue
(4-4 rhythm) Ignatius’ love for Christ was lion-heartedly defiant It roared! in seven letters to his flocks When Trajan’s men condemned him to be prey for starving lions He inked this pledge; I warm you that it shocks!
(3-4 rhythm) “The fire and the cross and the packs of wild beasts “The gashes, the rendings and wrenching of bone “The mangling of limbs and the crushing of… body “The devil’s own tortures…” (to be suffered alone)
“Let such come upon me”, Ignatius announced “if…
I may gain…
Christ!” (1)
(4-4 rhythm) This sentiment is sourced in the apostle Paul’s epistle He lists his “light afflictions” borne in meekness (2) To boast not of himself but of what’s souly beneficial: The Cross and that which fully “shows his weakness” (3)
Such as…
(3-4 rhythm) “…imprisonments… beatings and often near death (4) “And five times I suffered the 39 lashes “Then thrice I was beaten with rods, and once stoned “And thrice also shipwrecked… adrift” in the splashes
“Then danger from rivers, and danger from robbers “And danger from fam’ly; from Gentiles; false peers “Through danger in cities, in wild lands and waters “Through sleeplessness, hunger; through cold and through fears”
“For His sake I’ve lost all things, deeming them dung [literal translation] “that I may gain Christ!” (5) May this song ever be sung!
“What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage [dung], that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.” -Philippians 3:8-11
The Spirit of God comes with gifts to INfuse Which the spirit of evil would have me REfuse Whose will I choose For strength?
The Spirit of Jesus prefers to EXcuse (1) While the spirit of “Satan” just loves to ACcuse (2) Whose will I choose For mercy?
The Spirit of Truth only truths will DIffuse Which the spirit of lies will but twist to CONfuse Whose will I choose For clarity?
The Spirit of heav’n will unite and ENthuse While the spirit of hell will divide and ABuse Whose will I choose For fellowship?
The first, like a drop on a “sponge”, sweet and gentle (3) The second, a drop on a “rock”, sharp and loud Whose will I choose For direction?
God’s Life-giving Spirit will shake up the stray (4)
And sting so to bring to repent and amend
But the spirit of death will distract and delay
In hopes that his prey go astray in the end
Whose will I choose
Today?
***** (1) “Forgive them Father, they know not what they do” -Lk 23:34 (2) “Satan” means “Accuser” (3) “In those who are making progress in the spiritual life, from good to better, the good angel touches the soul gently, tenderly, and sweetly, as a drop of water entering a sponge, but the evil spirit touches it sharply, with noise and agitation, like a drop of water hitting upon a rock.” (St. Ignatius of Loyola, Spiritual Exercises) https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/the-sponge-and-the-rock/
(4) “For people who have closed themselves off from God’s grace, the good spirit disturbs and shakes up. It stirs feelings of remorse and discontent. The purpose is to make the person unhappy with a sinful way of life. On the other hand, the evil spirit wants such people to continue in their confusion and darkness. So the evil spirit tries to make them complacent, content, and satisfied with their distractions and pleasures”
“A house divided ‘gainst itself Can’t stand” is said in passing Who spoke it first? Abe Lincoln? Or The “President” Whose “term” is everlasting (Mt 12:25)
Big Arnold’s “I’ll be back!” is quoted Lots by gals and guys But One both promised AND fulfilled “They’ll kill Him; then In three days He will rise” (Mk 9:31)
Quote: “With great pow’r comes great Responsibility”- Inspired! A Peter Parker paraphrase “To whom is given much Much then will be required” (Lk 12:48)
A Kansan’s quip, “There’s no place like home!” Expressed by longing faces Recalls a pledge impressing hope “My Father’s Home Has many dwelling places” (Jn 14:2)
The title “greatest in the world” Is claimed by only some Augustus, Trajan, Genghis Kahn Yet once a Rabbi dared to claim “The world I’ve overcome” (Jn 16:33)
D’you think that quote, “to find yourself Is to lose yourself” sounds squalid? This Gandhi quote falls short of Christ’s: “Who’d lose their life For Me, will find it” solid (Mt 16:25)
That golden “Love your neighbor” phrase Has gotten massive cover Yet Christ commands a greater rule “As I’ve loved you So you must love each other” (Jn 13:34)
By many tongues His words resound Like, “Turn the other cheek” “No greater love”; “Be not afraid” “Ask and you’ll receive”… His echoes free, enflame, and guide… all those who dare to seek
The lasting gifts our Father brings Ain’t “mockingbirds” or “diamond rings” Ain’t slick “looking glasses” Or quick “billy goats” (1) Or spilling sacks of crisp green notes
Not boxes boasting bows and strings But seeds that grow undying things These seeds will keep Our souls afloat And safe and sound in Peter’s Boat
First, FAITH- that gives our hearts great wings Then HOPE- for heaven’s “eternal springs” But the best (please ignore The lump in my throat) Is LOVE! A fact not up for vote
Bright LOVE for all, both bums AND kings For Christ, Who makes our spirits sing Three giftsever potent You’ll find me devotin’ To the matchmaking goals Of the “Bridegroom” of souls Whose love Is never Remote ***** (1) Hush Little Baby, by Mother Goose
(Preamble: this is a loose paraphrase with “artistic license” of the account of Exodus 3-4, in a spirit of reverence to the holy Word of God and to God’s holy prophet St. Moses)
********** The LORD appeared to Moses in an unburnt bush, aflame He’d heard the Hebrews groaning Under Pharoah’s lash of shame So God told Moses to return and free them from their tears Yet Moses’ heart was cramped with doubt and fear
“BUT who am I to go to Pharaoh? Who am I to plead? BUT I can’t save your people! I’m a nobody, indeed!” His BUT’s got in his way, but couldn’t counter God’s rebuttals Away from God’s command, he couldn’t scuttle
So God said, “I’ll be with you; very soon this sign you’ll see: One day upon this mountain You will serve and worship me! Yet Moses wasn’t ready to say yes to God’s request He moved from BUT’s to IF’s in his distress
“So IF I were to go to all the Israelites and say ‘Your God has sent me to you!’ And then they ask Your name? What shall I say?” The LORD replied, “Say, I AM WHO I AM (1) Your forebears’ God, beginning with Abraham”
“BUT what if they do not believe or listen to my words BUT say, ‘The LORD did not appear! That’s crazy! That’s absurd!’” The LORD replied, “What’s in your hand?” and Moses said, “A staff” God ordered, “Throw it down on My behalf”
He tossed it down; it changed into a snake (perhaps an asp) The LORD said, “Grasp its tail” It changed back into a staff! Next God instructed Moses, “Put your hand inside your cloak” He did, then pulled it out, turned white as snow!
“Now put your hand back in your cloak”, said God, and he obeyed When he pulled it out again It was back to normal shade! Despite these signs, he let another BUT soon block his way With patient love, God listened to him pray
“BUT LORD, I’m slow of speech!” A good excuse? It was a dud “Who gives strength to speak at all? You’ll change water into blood! For I’ll be with you, and I’ll tell you what to say”, God said Then Moses cried, “Send someone else instead!”
The LORD had Aaron, Moses’ brother, join him as his speaker Then sent them on their quest Egypt’s “gods” proved all the weaker God freed those slaves, and still today frees slaves from cruel misers Like IF’s and BUT’s and other paralyzers
The Pharaoh and his slav’ry are true symbols of our foes: The sin and death that CAPTURED us And Satan’s “empty show” The NEW Moses, Christ Jesus, by His death and rising, freed us! He RESCUED us; His Spirit now will lead us!
The next time some BUT blocks you as you follow God each day Like, “BUT I’m just not strong enough” Or, “BUT I can’t, no way!” Recall the words of Paul, “I can do ALL through Christ Who strengthens me” (2) And then get off your BUT’s…
Inspired by and quoting the poem Pike’s Peak, later lyrics for the song America the Beautiful, by Katharine Lee Bates (1893)
“O beautiful for spacious skies”, America! we sing Directing thanks and songs towards The One Who grants this land’s rewards All spacious, amber, purple, fruited, shining things! Glad offerings Which beauty’s Source affords
“O beautiful for pilgrim feet”, America! we see Discov’ring that those feet and drums That beat the streets to save us from All tyrants glum, were guided by The One unseen Who sets us free As freedom’s Source and Sum
“O beautiful for heroes proved”, America! we hail Yet hailing most Whose words enthrall: “No greater love” than to give one’s all (Jn. 15:13) Who urges each To let His fire refine their gold When courage fails As valor’s Source and Call
“O beautiful for patriot dream”, America! we praise Yet praising most Who shares our tears As we beat pruning hooks to spears (Is. 2:4)
(The following is inspired by Yip’s poem above, and in his honor. Yip is my great grandfather one of my main inspirations, after Christ, to write poems. His poem above is a sad reminder of anti-semitism by Christians, a tragically ironic violation of the Gospel of Christ, our semitic Savior)
*
How good of God
To help the Jews
To find His clues
In offered ewes (Is. 53:7; Jn. 1:29)
Salvation’s ruse
*
How brave of God
To teach His Jews
Through prophets’ woos
That soon His shoes
O’er dust would cruise (Ez. 34)
*
How wise of God
To help men fuse
His Law with News
(One Rabbi’s views)
That Death would lose
*
How “weak” of God
Our flesh, enthuse (from Greek “theos” meaning God)
(To the tune of the brilliant song ‘When I’m not near the girl I love‘ from the classic musical Finnian’s Rainbow, lyrics by Yip Harburg and music by Burton Lane, which inspired this poem)
When I’m… not with… the God… of love… I love the “god”* I’m with
When I… won’t see… the Christ in… the other… (Matthew 25) I smother the Christ in me
When I… don’t carry… with patience… my cross… I’m cross! too impatient to care!
When all… my tears… to Jesus… I offer… He offers to wipe my tears (Revelation 2:14)
Dare dream I… surrender… my life plans… to God My God plans To render His Dream… His Dream for me!
(Style inspired by my great grandfather Yip Harburg’s song, “If I’m not near the girl I love, I love the girl I’m near” from the musical Finian’s Rainbow)
If you cannot foot the way and don’t have ways to travel…
travel lock-step with “The Way”!
If you’re full of questions on the truth of a big issue…
issue a prayer to “The Truth”!
If you’re feeling lifeless and just totally poured out…
pour out a plea to “The Life”!
If the Captain in your boat can calm the fiercest storm…
storm heaven to protect your calm!
See “the lion who prowls about, seeking to devour you” (1 Peter 3:15)?…
devour him by prayer to “Judah’s Lion”!
If the tempter feeds your pride and launches more attacks…
attack your pride with prayer!
If the One who gives you hope is the “Rock of Ages”…
Rhymes for the Rejoiceful 